Category: News Article

Ranch state senators are pushing to prop up cattle prices in response to an expected crash in the beef economy. A bill emerging Friday morning sets minimum pricing for cattle sold in 2020. The response comes as restaurants around the country close under local and state government orders in an attempt to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. It’s the restaurant industry that buys the majority of U.S. beef graded “prime” by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. When those top-end sales don’t occur, the value of cattle drop considerably. “These are challenging and unprecedented times, and it is critical

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., has proposed giving taxpayers until July 15 to submit their 2019 income tax returns – 90 days from the original April 15 due date. The Tax Filing Relief for America Act, which Senators Steve Daines, R-Mont., and Angus King, I-Maine, are joining Thune in introducing, aims to have the filing deadline coincide with the new July 15 deadline for taxpayers to pay the IRS taxes owed for 2019. Senators Richard Burr, R-N.C., and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., are co-sponsors. Earlier this week, the Treasury Department announced it would give taxpayers more time to pay what they owed, due

The House didn’t even send a bill to the Senate until early Tuesday morning. Nonetheless, Montana’s Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) says he’s ready to stay and get the job done when it comes to addressing the economic impacts of the coronavirus. Daines joined us on Wednesday’s Montana Talks statewide radio show with Aaron Flint from Capitol Hill. He’s been working closely with the White House over the past several days to deliver economic assistance. Daines says the lodging industry is particularly being hard hit right now. They had occupancy rates of 80% two weeks ago, and now they’re at like 20%. There’s layoffs

US Senator Steve Daines announced on March 16 that Montana has received $4.5 million in funds from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The funds will be used in response to the novel coronavirus outbreak in Montana.   “This critical funding helps protect Montanans and ensures that our communities have the resources necessary to handle the coronavirus outbreak,” Daines said.  “I voted for this funding which is vitally important to those on the front lines responsible for coronavirus prevention, preparation, and response efforts. I will continue working with my colleagues in the Senate and with the Trump administration to move forward bold actions

U.S. Sens. Todd Young (R-IN) and Steve Daines (R-MT) on March 12 introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation to expand the current federal disaster unemployment assistance program to more workers. “If workers are ill, or caring for sick loved ones, they should have the ability to take time off from work without the threat of financial harm,” Sen. Young said. “This is what our bipartisan legislation aims to accomplish by providing disaster unemployment assistance for individuals impacted by coronavirus.” Sens. Young and Daines cosponsored the Coronavirus Worker Relief Act, S. 3476, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) to expand the

As Congress waited to vote on its second multibillion-dollar coronavirus bill in less than three weeks, Montana’s delegation called for bipartisanship and cautioned constituents not to panic and be smart about public exposure. U.S. Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester returned to Montana on Thursday as the state was shutting down on several fronts. State universities were shifting to online-only classes, and public events across Montana were being rescheduled or canceled to minimize the spread of the virus. Gov. Steve Bullock, a Democrat, declared a state of emergency. None of the steps being taken were excessive, the lawmakers said, urging

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines said Thursday he offered several proposals in the congressional pipeline he said will help the country during the coronavirus outbreak and said the Senate needs to remain in session next week despite some scheduled time off to deal with the pandemic. The Montana Republican said via telephone that his proposals are to ensure impacted families and businesses have paid leave, temporarily waive payroll taxes, provide relief from tariffs and guarantee access to affordable testing. Daines said he has made proposals that include temporarily suspending the payroll tax so employees can keep more money in their pocket. The

U.S. Sens. Cory Gardner (R-CO) and Steve Daines (R-MT) on March 9 introduced a bipartisan bill to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and decrease the multibillion-dollar maintenance backlog plaguing America’s national parks and forests. “Yesterday I introduced the Great American Outdoors Act to fully and permanently #FundLWCF,” tweeted Sen. Gardner on March 10. “This bipartisan legislation will ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy our public lands for many years to come.” Sen. Gardner sponsored S. 3422 with 54 cosponsors, including Sen. Daines and U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) to establish, fund and provide for

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines has asked President Donald Trump to delay requirements of the Real ID Act of 2005 for one year for Montanans, saying the state was having difficulty meeting the October deadline for compliance. “While the state of Montana continues working to implement Real ID in a timely fashion, large numbers of Montanans will not have Real ID compliant identification by the October 2020 deadline,” the Montana Republican wrote in a Feb. 28 letter to the president. “I ask that you grant an emergency waiver for the state of Montana for one year, as they are working in good faith to comply with